Collecting Sports Legends

This comprehensive guide takes the reader on a historical journey, providing an in-depth look at the icons of sport, captured through their greatest collectibles. Composed by the leading experts in the field, never before has one book covered such a variety of hobby subjects. For those interested in building a fine collection of sports memorabilia, from baseball cards to autographs to game-used bats, each subject is covered in great detail. Within each chapter, the best of the best has been selected by the experts. Whether you are a hardcore collector or just an avid sports fan, this book not only helps bring the legends of sport to life but it provides crucial tips on how to assemble a world class collection. From Babe Ruth to Tiger Woods, from Wilt Chamberlain to Joe Namath, every major sport is covered. This book contains hundreds of sports memorabilia images, including many of the finest examples in the world.

For over a hundred years, kids of all ages have enjoyed the thrill of collecting sports cards. Whether it was souvenirs from their parents’ cigarette packs, pieces that came in bubble gum packages, or the modern dazzlers, the simple formula of pictures and text on cardboard have been a part of North American society for over a century. Now, take a look back at one of the most popular hobbies in history with Got ’Em, Got ’Em, Need ’Em. Covering baseball, basketball, football, hockey, boxing, and golf, this unique book offers a look at the greatest sports cards ever produced, including the players and personalities involved. Relive the days gone by with some of the industry’s most well-known experts as we count down the best from the business. Plus, as a special bonus, take a look at the best innovations, the worst blunders, and a special tribute to the hobby’s boom era in the 1990s.

Provides standards for grading the condition of cards, descriptions of rare cards, tips for cyber-collecting, and hints for hobby shows.

This is a must-have guide for anyone who is interested in seeing and learning more about the most collectable cards in the world.

Hilarious childhood biographies and full-color illustrations show how Tiger Woods, Gabby Douglas, Bruce Lee, Billie Jean King, and other budding sports champions faced kid-sized challenges growing up. Forget the gold medals, the championships, and the undefeated seasons. When all-star athletes were growing up, they had regular-kid problems just like you. Baseball legend Babe Ruth was such a troublemaker, his family sent him to reform school. Race car champion Danica Patrick fended off bullies who told her “girls can’t drive.” And football superstar Peyton Manning was forced to dance the tango in his school play. Kid Athletes tells all of their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on every page. Other subjects include Billie Jean King, Jackie Robinson, Yao Ming, Gabby Douglas, Tiger Woods, Julie Krone, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, Bobby Orr, Lionel Messi, and more!

Mattison's book is a must-have for all sports collectors. As the title suggests, Mattison's well-rsearched book is the best of its kind anywhere. --Joe Orlando, Editor, Sports Market Report magazine

An official guide to the most iconic legends and legendary creatures from the world of Magic: The Gathering The world of Magic: The Gathering is home to many fantastical characters and creatures, but perhaps none so intriguing as its legends. Legendary dragons, demons, angels, goblins, vampires, merfolk, wizards, and more roam the multiverse. These characters harken back to Magic’s early history, having been introduced in one of the first Magic card sets (1994’s Legends); new legends continue to tell epic stories in lore and on the battlefield through the present day. Magic: The Gathering: Legends showcases high-quality reproductions of the legendary card art from across the game's history—in many instances for the first time outside of the card frame—along with accompanying histories written by Jay Annelli. This collection also offers exclusive insight into the art and mythology behind some of Magic: The Gathering’s most powerful, popular, and enduring legends, including Niv-Mizzet, Emmara Tandris, Marit Lage, Sisay, Atraxa, the Eldrazi titans, Edgar Markov, Queen Marchesa, Zurgo, Pia Nalaar, Zacama, King Algenus Kenrith, Snapdax, and many, many more.